She mentions that it won’t be 140 pounds is the most realistic part of the plan. Making weight at age 37 is hard, but doing so at 40 can be even harder.
“I think Conor Benn can become a world champion because anything can happen in boxing,” Prograis said. “But as far as him as a fighter, he’s got some things to work on. He’s like a six out of 10. He’s not that good. He’s just not polished enough.”
Prograis pointed to timing and shot placement as the main issues. He said he could see Benn’s punches coming and stick to them, making the rounds manageable even in a fight he was clearly losing on the cards.
It’s important to get into the conversation surrounding a fight with Ryan Garcia. Prograis didn’t take sides, but he saw both sides as dangerous.
“Garcia has power, but so does Benn,” he said. “I don’t know how Garcia would react if he got caught. Both guys can hurt each other.”
Benn is currently positioned for a title shot at welterweight and is coming off the win over Prograis. However, the performance left no doubt. A slower, older Prograis still had moments where he read him cleanly.
The takeaway for Prograis is simple. He doesn’t walk away forever, just kicks the bucket down the road. As far as Benn is concerned, the lesson is clear. His power keeps him in the mix, but his technical game is still a work in progress.
